Landmark N.M.B. Decision, ALPA's attempt to stop Go_Jets alter ego failed

[~~~^~~~]

Background: American Airlines' 70 seat scope restriction compelled Trans States to start a separate 70 seat operation to avoid American's scope clause and fly for United. GJs started as a non union creation of Trans States, with Trans States Management, and Tran States pilots who were allowed to keep their date of hire if they took jobs at GJs. The Management of both carriers has the same office, there are other cross over employees and all the other signs of "operational integration."

ALPA did the right thing, in my opinion, and fought for a single carrier ruling. Teamsters joined management in fighting ALPA's petition.

Facts: ALPA argued that the airlines have common ownership, management, facilities, hubs, and cross over employees who are on "leave of absense" from their TSA jobs. TSA's manager of Crew Planning works up GJs schedules.

TSA and Teamsters contended that *************************s was set up to fly a separate aircraft, the CRJ700, flying which TSA was not allowed to perform under the American scope agreement. TSA cites separate training, manuals and Operating Certificate to support their contention that *************************s is not "operationally integrated."

Findings: The NMB ruled against ALPA. The NMB found that separate web sites for recruitment were indications against operational integration, even though they admitted that *************************s will continue to "outsource" their training and recruitment to TSA. ( Apparently operational integration is not operational integration if you call it outsourcing ).

Importantly, the NMB found that operational integration did not exist because *************************s operated an airplane that TSA was prohibited from operating under American's scope. The fleets were different and not interchangeable. ( So now another Airline's scope language is cited by the NMB to deny a single carrier petition at a third carrier )

Relevance:

1. This loss will likely stop ALPA from pursuing a Single Carrier Petition between ASA / SkyWest
2. The Board's ruling makes it much easier for Airlines to set up alter ego operations whenever it benefits them
3. The Board's ruling encourages the creation of more alter ego carriers to avoid scope and employee representation issues
4. ALPA tried to do the right thing, and lost
5. Teamsters fought organized labor and won. Unions should not be in the business of fighting single carrier petitions. Teamsters was looking like a viable alternative to ALPA - that is no longer true. Teamsters must plan to try to organize Go_Jets, an airline with a seniority list of 30 pilots, 7 of whom are TSA pilots

This is a loss to those of us who want to flight alter ego replacement airlines from lowering our profession. The NMB is clearly not in our corner, meaning that all we have is ALPA to flight on our behalf. What ALPA negotiates at mainline carriers defines what airlines we fly for, our pay and working conditions.

BTW Go_Jets is banned on this board as foula nd offensive language. If you just type Go_Jets you get the, *************************s, see what I mean?

 

[Plug]

Importantly, the NMB found that operational integration did not exist because *************************s operated an airplane that TSA was prohibited from operating under American's scope. The fleets were different and not interchangeable. ( So now another Airline's scope language is cited by the NMB to deny a single carrier petition at a third carrier )



Fins,

I disagree, here's why:

1) TSA has E145's and J41's, Goofjets has CR7's. ASA and Skywest both have CR2's and CR7's.

2) American scope caused the Goofjet startup, ASA and Skywest face no such restriction.

Though the NMB's ruling I think is skewed it does have merit. Though I think it is against the spirit of alter-ego carriers. Simply put though, TSA management can not transfer assets between the 2 carriers because they don't fly like equipment. We have already seen assets transferred around ASA and Skywest. I also hear that there is a pretty big ALPA drive at Skywest, that may play in to it because we may all be ALPA this time next year!

 

[meatwallet]

what local is Go_jets organized under Teamsters?

 

[FlyHIToo]

Teamsters fought organized labor and won. Unions should not be in the business of fighting single carrier petitions. Teamsters was looking like a viable alternative to ALPA - that is no longer true. Teamsters must plan to try to organize Go_Jets, an airline with a seniority list of 30 pilots, 7 of whom are TSA pilots.

There were 30 pilots at the 14SEP06 filing. There are now 100. Teamster will be organizing more than 30 pilots. The pilots at GJ could choose ALPA. For 2% of there wages, I am sure ALPA would open their arms and love to have them.

This was a fight for union dues. GJ currently pays pilots more than MESA without a negotiated contract. MESA and ALPA signed a deal for less.

Don't be misled, ALPA does not care so much about the pilots as they do about the 2% dues.

 

[FlyHIToo]

what local is Go_jets organized under Teamsters?

747 or 618 must get NMB to certify ALPA or IBT 1st.

 

[AceCrackshot]

Well, ladies and gentlemen, another nail in the head of organized pilot labor in the U.S.

Single carrier petitions are the only thing stopping the utter erosion of wages by alter ego carrier in the U.S. Such a precidence, is, in a word, catastrophic.

Make no mistake. You'll be seeing more GoofJets in the future. If you UPS/FedEX guys think you're immune, think again.

 

[Billy Madison]

BTW Go_Jets is banned on this board as foula nd offensive language. If you just type Go_Jets you get the, *************************s, see what I mean?

Ok. Let me try it.

Go Jets

 

[Billy Madison]

Yup. I typed Go_Jets and it came up as GJ's.

 

[Reebo]

GJ currently pays pilots more than MESA without a negotiated contract..

PROVE IT!

 

[redbook]

Single carrier petitions are the only thing stopping the utter erosion of wages by alter ego carrier in the U.S. Such a precidence, is, in a word, catastrophic.

Make no mistake. You'll be seeing more GoofJets in the future. If you UPS/FedEX guys think you're immune, think again.

Several of the original scumbags, (They are not scabs!!! whatever) that went to G0jet from tsa have stated their intention of working for UPS and Fedex.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them pursue the same game plan at another carrier.